I was thinking of doing it again or doing Blackpool to save all the expense (if I don't get into London), entries open on 1st September, they are doing a half marathon as well this year which will start at the same time so they expect over 25000 people on the start line so this will not help the problems of last year.

Edinburgh is a great City though and it is a nice flat route although not the most scenic at times.

I did Edinburgh as my first marathon too and also loved it. There were problems, which luckily I was not affected by, but hopefully they have learned from them. If they are expecting 25000 people, it will be crowded though as some parts of the course were a bit narrow.

Gives the impression they've listened to nothing people complained about with regards to congestion etc by adding a half marathon as well. Going to be a nightmare shifting all those people of differing abilities from the same start - bad enough when just the marathon.

Surely they're going have to use a different route or you're going to have half-marathoners looping back on themselves across the path of the marathoners? The finish will have to be changed as well if a different route as the racecourse is at 9.5 miles and some of the faster half-marathoners will be reaching the end at the same time marathoners are running past.....

That's assuming they all start at the same time. If not, road closures will last a lot longer and probably cause far more traffic problems.

There was a problem with the distribution of water during the event. They didn't have enough water in the right places at the right times, but hopefully this will be rectified for the next race. (there were reports of water thefts in the hours before the race)

Overall I had no problems with the pre race organisation or the start (apart from the announcer who thought a gloriously sunny day was a good day to run a marathon!). I found no congestion issues during the race or at the finish. However, I will add that I was in the leading 10% of the field and probably clear of the areas before congestion occurred.

If they are adding a 1/2marathon on the same day they will have to stagger the start times (I'm assuming). But to have double the numbers finishing in Musselburgh there will be a lot of congestion, both in the race and afterwards.

I would reccomend it as a race to do but would probably advise waiting to see if there are any surprises with running a marathon and a half marathon at the same time.

I did Edinburgh as my first marathon in May, finished in 4:55 - there were plenty of people behind me. However, because of the water problems not everyone was able to finish! THey shortened the course by about 3 miles. I would do it again though, as I'd hope they'd learn from the mistakes of last year - and make new ones instead!

Ok that settles it. I am going to try for Edinburgh in the first instance. Like you say Kicked -It it is long enough away to prepare and there is a huge field of runners.

Am excited about the prospect but also TERRIFIED of the distance. Mind you I used to feel like that about 10k and then half marathon and I have managed many of those now so I know it is possible. Will apply on Tuesday as soon as I can.

Know exactly how you feel Lucy! All I will say is that the pain of a marathon is no worse than that for a Half - it just lasts a bit longer! As long as you train for the distance that is. My training wasn't ideal (longest 5 runs 15, 15, 16, 18 and 20) but I got round in a respectable time and know I will do so much better next time. The hardest part is the long training runs, the first time you do each distance.

Thanks Beanie, that is really reassuring. I will try to take it one step at a time and not panic! I know it will be painful but so worth it, like many things in life! I am actually having a bit of help this time with my training. Tonight is my first session with her, I am looking forward to it as I know it will push me harder than I would push myself.

I set myself the target of running a marathon before my 40th birthday.

At the time I was 37 and smoking 30 cigs a day, and hadnt done any excercise in years.....Seemd like an impossible, ridiculous thing to say. It would involve an entire change of lifestyle never mind the training!

That is impressive! Well done! Yes, it will be a dream come true when we cross that finish line. I have 2 brothers one of whom is "normal" like me and the other who is super, super sporty. When the super sporty one turned 40 he mapped out a marathon for himself around London taking in all the important places for him like the place he met his wife, where their first child was born etc.

Anyway, on the evening of his 40th I called him to wish him happy birthday and to see if he was feeling tired. He said "Oh, yes the marathon was great and when I got to work my friends had made me a special birthday breakfast!" WHAT?! Yes, the nutter had started the marathon at 4am, finished it at 7.20 am and then gone to work as normal, you know, as you do!

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